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GolfWRX’s 2014 Father’s Day Gift Guide

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Not that you need reminding, but Father’s Day is June 15th. And if your pops is a golfer, you’ve come to the right place. GolfWRX presents its annual Father’s Day Gift Guide with options for every budget.

If pops isn’t a golfer, may we make a recommendation? Get your dad a lesson from a PGA professional. It’s never too late to start chasing the little white ball, and there’s nothing better on Father’s Day than playing 18 with your paternal unit.

Here’s our suggestions for your Father’s Day shopping list in three price ranges.

Gifts on a Budget: $50 and Under

It’s never the cost of the gift, but the thought that counts, particularly on Father’s Day. Thankfully, you won’t have to spend much to give dad an awesome gift this year. What’s better than a great book, a premium pair of socks, a fresh shirt and an instructional DVD from one of golf’s greatest players? OK, maybe a new set of irons might be better, but this stuff is pretty darn cool for what it costs.

His Ownself: A Semi-Memoir by Dan Jenkins ($20.50)

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The best golf writer of the last half century’s (semi-) memoir is one of the finest golf books in recent memory. Attendee of 63-consecutive Masters, Jenkins book is marketed as a “colorful, sentimental, hilarious, and cantankerous memoir about his lifelong journey through the world of sports.”

[button color=”red” link=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385532253/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0385532253&linkCode=as2&tag=golfwrxcom-20&linkId=XVECJ5SI54WHBX3D”]Buy His Ownself[/button]

Kentwool Socks ($19.95)

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If your budget is limited, do yourself a favor and buy dad what just might be the best golf socks on the market. The USA Golf Socks (shown above) highlight the fact that all of Kentwool’s socks are made in the U.S. The company’s golf performance socks, which are available in a variety of lengths, sizes and styles, combine superfine Merino wool with Kentwool’s WINDspun technology for guaranteed blister-free performance.

[button color=”red” link=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004GCIGIQ/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B004GCIGIQ&linkCode=as2&tag=golfwrxcom-20&linkId=GF2HYB5OGUWPZVO7″]Buy Kentwool socks[/button]

adidas ClimaLite Heathered Short Sleeve Polo ($34.98)

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Here’s a value: Adidas ClimaLite polos are 41 percent off at Golfsmith. They’re great shirts with seven solid colors available.

[button color=”red” link=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008Y300F0/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B008Y300F0&linkCode=as2&tag=golfwrxcom-20&linkId=ZBFBO4DXRCNBTX5N”]Buy Adidas Climalite[/button]

Tom Watson’s Lessons of a Lifetime II ($49.95)

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Our Andrew Tursky wrote about about this excellent DVD at length. If you’re looking for something for pops to play on his big screen, look no further than this three-disc set.

[button color=”red” link=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JJ3CAHA/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00JJ3CAHA&linkCode=as2&tag=golfwrxcom-20&linkId=NCOGO44727EQ27LO”]Buy Lessons of a Lifetime II[/button]

Middle of the Road: $50 to $500

Now we’re talking. In this category, you can really wow pops with a high-quality, personalized gift like an Illiac headcover or some custom Pro V1’s. You can even get him a club like TaylorMade’s SLDR driver, Ping’s Rapture Driving Iron or one of Odyssey’s Tank Cruiser putters.

Whatever you choose, keep in mind that the best gift could end up being on the cheaper end of this category: a round of golf with dad where you smile though his stories. Nothing is cooler on Father’s Day than that.

A round with dad 

461742783MH00047_The_Master

This may be the best gift of them all: Take pops out to play 18 at the place he loves the most, or a place he’s always wanted to play. It might not be Augusta, where father and son Craig and Kevin Stadler shared a practice round this year before the Masters, but it’s sure to be memorable, and hopefully for the right reasons.

If you two are betting men, you don’t have to let him win; although you might want to use your winnings to buy him a nice post-round meal.

BogeyBox (prices vary)

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Create a custom profile on the company’s website, and they’ll send your dad a box full of apparel, equipment, training aids, lifestyle products and golf-bag snacks for Father’s Day and then once a month for whatever period of time you like. [2 ($90), 4 ($175), or 6 ($250) month membership]

[button color=”red” link=”http://bogeyboxgolf.com/”]Go to bogeyboxgolf.com[/button]

Personalized Titleist Golf Balls (prices vary)

Screen Shot 2014-06-02 at 10.07.34 AM

Block lettering, a logo, or even a photo of the two of you. Titleist custom printing can do it all. Your dad might not splurge on a dozen ProV1 or Pro V1X’s for himself, but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t love a few sleeves of the No. 1 ball in golf.

[button color=”red” link=”http://www.titleist.com/custom-imprinting/app/”]Customize Titleist golf balls[/button]

Iliac Golf headcovers (From $58)

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If you’d like to get dad some classic headcovers with modern flair, iliac Golf by Bert LaMar is the way to go.

[button color=”red” link=”http://www.iliacgolf.com/collections/all-headcovers”]Buy Illiac headcovers[/button]

Titleist Vokey TVD-K wedge (From $160)

Screen-Shot-2014-04-28-at-5.50.05-PM-620x400

The 58- and 60-degree are played by Jason Dufner and Adam Scott, respectively. Let your dad know that as you hand him one of the finest wedges on the market. He’ll appreciate its clean look as much as he will it all-around playability, with a wide, cambered sole that makes bunker shots and pitches a breeze.

For the first time, the TVD-K Grind is now available in a 54-degree model, which offers all the versatility of the K-Grind in a mid-lofted wedge.

[button color=”red” link=”http://www.vokey.com/wedgeworks/products/tvd-k-tx3.aspx”]Build Dad’s TVD-K wedge on Vokey.com[/button]

Ashworth Encinitas wing tip ($200)

Footwear Image

Classy, comfy, and playable. If your dad has an office job, he’ll be able to sport these and look stylish without turning heads there too.

The Encinitas have a high-traction spikeless outsole that adds to the plush feel of these shoes, as well as a rich leather upper and listing that’s reminiscent of quality spiked models from golf’s past. Their PU sockliner is soft enough to allow dad to go sockless like Freddy Couples if he’s feeling that cool, too.

[button color=”red” link=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K3783RM/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00K3783RM&linkCode=as2&tag=golfwrxcom-20&linkId=T2GC4PNRI22BNVG2″]Buy the Encinitas[/button]

Ping Rapture D.I.: ($199.99)

Ping Rapture Driving Iron

Ping Rapture D.I. (Driving Iron) is a 2-iron that pops might actually be able to hit. Internal tungsten weighting makes it forgiving, and Ping maintained the club’s classic looks that will allow your dad to boast to his buddies about having a duece his bag.

The Rapture D.I. is only available in one loft (18 degrees) and comes stock with the company’s TFC 949 shaft that’s available in regular, stiff and x-stiff flexes.

[button color=”red” link=”http://www.ping.com/clubs/ironsdetail.aspx?id=16426″]Learn more about the Rapture D.I.[/button]

Oakley Factory Lite Golf Bag ($199)

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Oakley is a newcomer to the golf market, but the young golf brand has been on a tear thanks to the exposure of brand ambassadors Bubba Watson and Zach Johnson, who have taken the company’s ellipse logo to the winner’s circle four times since 2013.

The Factory Lite embodies Oakley’s commitment to disrupting the golf market. It’s a true walker bag that weighs only 2.8 pounds thanks to its carbon fiber legs, saving dad’s back if he likes to walk. Its straps are constructed from a EVA material that you might expect to see in a lightweight sneaker, which are not only lighter than most strap systems, but really gentle on the shoulders as well.

[button color=”red” link=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DQZ60SC/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00DQZ60SC&linkCode=as2&tag=golfwrxcom-20&linkId=LRCMUOLPB3IGHIS2″]Buy the Factory Lite[/button]

Odyssey Tank Cruiser ($249.99)

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Odyssey’s Tank Cruiser putters combine Odyssey’s most popular head shapes with a slick counterweighting system and a 15-inch SuperStroke 2.0 grip. They’re perfect if dad has been complaining about “those pesky 3-footers,” or wants to add the latest putter technology to his collection.

Keep in mind that counterbalanced putters are most effective when they are gripped a few inches below the end of the grip. So if dad uses a 35-inch putter, buy him the 38-inch model. If he uses a 33-inch putter, go with the 35-inch model. If he plays a 34-inch putter, he could go either way.

Our favorite model is Odyssey’s #7, which has been a favorite of several top PGA Tour players over the years.

[button color=”red” link=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IZZGUME/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00IZZGUME&linkCode=as2&tag=golfwrxcom-20&linkId=FGON3KPIYTQYUZQS”]Buy a Tank Cruiser #7[/button]

Bushnell Tour Z6 Jolt Rangefinder ($399)

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The Bushnell Tour Z6 Jolt is chocked full of technology, making it all-the-more impressive that Bushnell was able to make it small enough and lightweight enough to fit in dad’s pocket while he plays or practices. Despite its compact size — it’s barely bigger than a deck of cards — the Tour Z6 Jolt is accurate to 0.5 yards, making it one of the most precise lasers on the market, and it uses Bushnell’s Vivid Display Technology to bring clarity to targets regardless of the time of day.

The Tour Z6’s coolest feature might be that it uses a technology called Jolt that vibrates when it locks onto a flagstick, providing confirmation that the laser has zeroed in on the correct yardage. That means dad only has himself to blame if his approach comes up 10 yards short.

[button color=”red” link=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HQE9DA6/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00HQE9DA6&linkCode=as2&tag=golfwrxcom-20&linkId=KBDTXBAKXPXGVZSB”]Buy the Tour Z6 Jolt[/button]

TaylorMade SLDR 460 Driver ($399)

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When properly fit, TaylorMade’s SLDR driver might just be the longest driver in golf thanks to its extremely low-spin performance, which can add carry and roll to dad’s drives (click here to read our full review). The SLDR 460 is the No. 1 driver on the PGA Tour, and is available with a limited-edition matte, white crown, as well as in a lower-spinning SLDR 430 model.

If dad’s not going to adjust his driver, the slightly less expensive SLDR S driver could be a better choice, as its lack of an adjustable hosel can actually offer a little better performance than the SLDR 460, and its available in senior-friendly lofts of 14 and 16 degrees. Keep in mind that most golfers end up with at least 10.5 degrees, if not 12 degrees of loft in a SLDR driver when they are fit by a professional.

[button color=”red” link=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E7OCMOC/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00E7OCMOC&linkCode=as2&tag=golfwrxcom-20&linkId=WCAN4ZN425C6X6EP”]Buy the SLDR Driver[/button]

Big Spender: More than $500

What’s better than getting dad his own launch monitor, FlightScope’s Xi, for practice? Not a whole lot if dad has a little GolfWRXer in him.

But maybe the latest in golf tech isn’t for him, so let me introduce you to three of GolfWRX’s most-recommended new irons sets for 2014: Adams’ XTD, Callaway’s Apex and Nike’s Covert Forged. These irons are unbelievably long and forgiving, meaning dad might be able to hit these 7 irons as far as he used to hit a 7 iron in his prime. Now that’s a Father’s Day gift!

FlightScope Xi ($2500)

FlightScope

Ever wonder when a company would make a Doppler radar launch monitor that was small enough to fit in a golf bag? That’s exactly what FlightScope did with the Xi, which is the smallest and lightest 3D Doppler tracking radar system on the market. It uses the same technology as FlightScope’s X2 to give golfers accurate carry distance, roll distance, total distance, ball speed and dispersion, as well as club head speed and smash factor results.

The Xi also has auto-leveling feet, and a battery that lasts about 3 hours on a full charge. Golfers looking for more club and ball data might want to look into the company’s Xi+ launch monitor, which adds vertical and horizontal launch data, as well as spin axis, spin rate, angle of attack and spin loft.

[button color=”red” link=”http://flightscope.com/”]Learn more about the Xi and Xi+ at FlightScope.com[/button]

Adams XTD irons (699.99)

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Adams’ XTD irons get their performance from extremely thin, 450-stainless-steel faces that combine with Adams’ Cut-Thru Slot technology to provide top-notch balls speeds and a very high launch.

The irons also borrow in design from the company’s popular hybrids, using a hybrid-like center of gravity that is positioned deep in the head to help mishits fly farther and straighter. At $699, the XTD’s are little cheaper than the other irons on this list, and that’s might be their biggest selling point. While their price is less, their performance is not.

[button color=”red” link=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J4IC49O/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00J4IC49O&linkCode=as2&tag=golfwrxcom-20&linkId=DWTHXUOZPCW6HCGV”]Buy the XTD irons[/button]

Callaway Apex ($1099)

callaway-apex-irons-13

If dad’s been golfing for a few decades, he probably has a soft spot for Ben Hogan’s Apex irons, and we think that Callaway’s Apex irons are a fitting tribute to those world-beating models.

The Apex irons are the smallest, most workable irons on this list, but still offer enough size to boost dad’s confidence at address. The Apex’s combine a forged framework with the company’s extremely thin 455 carpenter forged steel faces to deliver big distance and a solid forged feel. Their design also features a deep undercut behind the irons’ faces that improve ball speed and forgiveness on off-center hits.

The Apex irons come stock with True Temper’s well-received XP95 steel shafts, as well as UST Mamiya’s Recoil 660 or 680 graphite shafts.

[button color=”red” link=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FYJVWIG/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00FYJVWIG&linkCode=as2&tag=golfwrxcom-20&linkId=O6N3WXIPBXJZD3R4″]Buy the Apex irons[/button]

Nike VRS Covert Forged irons ($1099)

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If your dad wants to play forged irons but probably shouldn’t be, these are probably the ones that should be in his bag.

Nike milled deep into the cavities of the VRS Covert Forged irons to move their center of gravity low and deep in the head, a design that when combined with their NexCOR faces creates long, high-flying iron shots that soar with the consistency you’d expect from forged irons. The clubs also have Nike’s aggressive X3X grooves, and come stock with Nippon’s popular 950GH lightweight steel shafts that help create more clubhead speed for even longer iron shots.

[button color=”red” link=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HB6Q3P2/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00HB6Q3P2&linkCode=as2&tag=golfwrxcom-20&linkId=FABCT7WKH4BYTZQ7″]Buy the VRS Covert Forged irons[/button]

Think I missed something? Leave it in the comments section below.

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GolfWRX Editor-in-Chief

10 Comments

10 Comments

  1. Dave

    Jun 13, 2014 at 2:51 pm

    Prob should have done a Haas instead of stadlers!!!!

    Excellent article. All of your articles are very well written.

  2. John kuczeski

    Jun 4, 2014 at 2:01 pm

    As it relates to the Kentwool socks I have to speak up on their behalf as a loyal an happy customer. I have owned and played in them ever since their first release which I believe was the beginning of 2011. I wear both the short and the long versions of their lineup to play golf and I wear the long version for casual wear with slacks and jeans. I have to honestly say that they are the most comfortable and longest wearing sock I have ever owned.

    Additionally, my wife son and daughter all play golf in them and they also wear them casually as well. While I realize thy may not be for everyone based on feel, they are certainly worth the investment from my families perspective based on our long term usage.

    They also just added a thinner sportswear line which our family also enjoys! Made in the USA! Well worth the investment!

  3. Daniel V

    Jun 4, 2014 at 1:48 pm

    Sorry Dad, but I think I might be purchasing that Driving Iron more for myself than for you….. Assuming I can hit the thing..

  4. Shortgame85

    Jun 3, 2014 at 11:28 pm

    I always enjoy Ben’s articles and observations. In regard to his head cover recommendation, I would add Cru head covers. They are fully customizable and beautifully made. I have owned two custom covers for well over a year and they look brand new. One other thought, if one is buying for a, let’s say, more mature dad, a driver recommendation might include one like the Ping G25 that offers a higher launch and a bit more forgiveness than the TMag SLDR. Other than that, a nice set of recommendations to girlfriends, wives, children and grandchildren everywhere!

  5. Bob

    Jun 3, 2014 at 11:16 pm

    I’ve found that the kent wool socks are so finely spun since they are wool that they actually are to slippery against the heel of the shoe and end up slipping a lot. I returned mine. Also, what about a new golf bag or push cart for dad. Your list leaves a lot to the imagination. A for effort though.

    • Ben Alberstadt

      Jun 4, 2014 at 9:25 am

      Thanks, Bob. Feel free to tack on any suggestions of your own…the cart is a good call.

  6. Scooter McGavin

    Jun 3, 2014 at 6:37 am

    I’m assuming a reader willing to spend $200 for Father’s Day is a grown adult making good money. So wouldn’t that make their father middle-aged or older? I wouldn’t think that would be the target age for a driving iron.

    • Greg Muncy

      Jun 8, 2014 at 3:24 am

      I’m 54, 55 in August. I can nail a driving iron. But I also wear 34 pants and bench 200 lbs and I don’t lift weights. 60 is the new 40.

  7. Scooter McGavin

    Jun 3, 2014 at 6:33 am

    I have trouble believing that there are any better golf socks than Swiftwicks. And they’re cheaper too…

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Whats in the Bag

Rasmus Højgaard WITB 2024 (April)

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  • Rasmus Højgaard what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.

Driver: Callaway Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Blue 60 TX

3-wood: Callaway Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Prototype (16.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX

Utility: Callaway Apex UW (21 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw White 85 TX

Irons: Callaway Apex Pro (3), Callaway X Forged (4-PW)
Shafts: KBS $-Taper 130

Wedges: Callaway Jaws Raw (52-10S, 56-10S, 60-06C)
Shafts: KBS Tour 130 X

Putter: Odyssey Ai One Milled Eight T DB

Grips: Golf Pride MCC

Check out more in-hand photos of Hojgaard in the forums.

 

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Whats in the Bag

Rory McIlroy WITB 2024 (April)

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  • Rory McIlroy what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic. 

Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X

3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 8 X

5-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (18 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 9 X

Irons: TaylorMade Proto (4), TaylorMade Rors Proto (5-9)
Shaft: Project X 7.0 (4-9)

Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (46-09SB, 50-09SB, 54-11SB), Titleist Vokey Design WedgeWorks (58-K @59)
Shafts: Project X 6.5 (46-54), Project X 6.5 Wedge (60)

Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour X3
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Pistol Tour

Ball: 2024 TaylorMade TP5x

Grips: Golf Pride MCC

Check out more in-hand photos of Rory McIlroy’s WITB in the forums.

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Equipment

Spotted: Nate Lashley’s Ping PLD “Wolverine” putter

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Ping PLD putters have been a very common site on profesional tours. Pros seem to gravitate toward the PLD line’s custom options and precision milling. We have seen the PLD line expanded over the years, but we haven’t seen too many, if any, large mallets.

This week we spotted a PLD putter in Nate Lashley’s bag that has a similar look to the old Ping Wolverine head shape. This putter is a large mallet with the famous “claws” on the outside and oval center that housed the alignment aid.

Nick’s putter has the PLD logo on the back but also looks like it might have an insert installed on the face. It is hard to tell but at the address picture, it looks like the face is a lighter material than the rest of the putters. The putter is center-shafted and should be face-balanced with a high MOI for stability and forgiveness on mishits. The sole is completely milled and has no markings of name or technologies that might be present in the head. A single white site line is on the top of the putter for alignment.

Nick’s putter is finished off with a chrome steel shaft and a Super Stroke Zenergy Flatso 2.0 grip in black and white.

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